I realize that two days have past since my last "Get Off Your Ass and Move" post, but I have been moving, so much that I really didn't have enough time to post the daily. However here's me catching up:

For the 5th of MarchSpeed Walked 1.5 miles50 crunches35 leg lifts per leg (for a total of 70)50 squats50 second plank50 standing crunches

and for the 6th of March; I took the day off from traditional working out because I had to work and my job allows me to get in over 15,000 steps. For yesterday (the 6th) my step total was 17,776 steps.

I am glad that I tuned back in and posted for accountability reasons! Thanks for reading. I would love to hear about what you have been up to. Please feel free to leave a comment.

﻿﻿Out of frustration and lack of motivation I purchased the UP24 by Jawbone. My phone and the Noom Coach app had been serving as my “fitness” tracker for over a year, but running with phone in hand in an effort to count steps and track my exercise grew old very quickly. Therefore I searched for something that would make tracking my workouts, my steps, and my meals easier. DesignThere are 3 different fitness trackers by Jawbone, however I chose the UP24 because it is a slim band that you wear on your wrist. It has a rubberized outer casing and is oval shape. The band does not clasp or lock together, instead it is always open and clasps around your arm. The oval shape helps to keep it in place, as does the rubberized outer casing. PedometerThe UP24 serves as a pedometer, keeping count of your daily steps and movements, using your arm movements. You wear the band on your wrist and it senses when you step and logs it for you. Fitness TrackerIn the same way that the UP24 band logs your steps, it can also sense when you are upping your game. When you log onto the UP app that works with your band the app will ask you if you were working out, you can then log your run or brisk walk, or whatever you may have done. Sleep TrackerIn addition to being a fitness band the makers of the UP24 realize how important it is to get a full night of rest, therefore they added the sleep tracker to the band. I am not quite sure how the band tracks sleep and differentiates between light and heavy sleep, though I have a feeling it is via movement or pulse. When you are going to bed at night you simply push and hold the button on the end of your band and a moon will appear along with a slight vibration letting you know that you have switched the mode of your band. The moon means you are planning on going to bed (or rather it is night time.) The band will then measure how long it took you to fall asleep, how long you were asleep, and how many times you woke up during the night. In addition when you log on to the app you will also find helpful tips and advice on how to get more sleep and how to rest better. Ease of UseThis fitness tracker is completely simple and very easy to use. There are two basic modes, night and day, and the band also comes equipped with a “soft alarm” as well as a “get up and move” alarm, plus you can use it as a stopwatch. You can change the settings for these things using the app. Wireless SyncYour band wirelessly syncs the data it collects with the app on your phone. Every time that you open the UP app your band will sync with the app and the app will update giving you the most up to date information for your review. TeammatesAnother benefit Jawbone has given its’ users is the opportunity to build a team. This is optional, but I have found that it is nice to be able to compare my activity with others, encourage others, and have others encourage me as well. You can choose how much or how little information you would like to share with your teammates so you still keep your privacy. Meal TrackerThe UP app is also equipped with a meal and water tracker. You simply use the search bar to search for the food that you consumed and after you have located the right meal you touch it and it is added to your food log. If for some reason you cannot find your specific meal or the calorie count is wrong you can manually add your own meals. You can also take a picture of your food if you like. ChallengesMy favorite aspect of the UP24 are the challenges. There are “Today I Will” challenges that the app will present you and you can choose to take them on or ignore them. My current challenge is to take 4,226 steps per day and when you accomplish your challenge you are congratulated. The ConsSometimes I find it difficult to log my meals because the + circle doesn’t always appear on my app.I have also found the bracelet to be a little uncomfortable with some of my outfits and the step counter can be off a little. Another downer is that the bracelet is not 100% waterproof. It is splash proof, however you cannot take a shower with it on and my work requires me to get my hands wet a great deal of the time so I am always having to avoid getting the band wet. My IdealsI believe it would be ideal if Jawbone could come up with a band that could be worn on your ankle for better tracking of steps. It would also be nice if there were a little more flexibility to the band and if the band actually closed so that I do not have to worry about it stretching out. OverallOverall I am satisfied with the UP24. I will continue to be an avid user until it breaks. I am satisfied with the app, and I absolutely love the challenges and the fact that I can build my own team of motivators. If you are looking to build your team please feel free to send me a message or leave a comment and you can be a part of my team.﻿﻿

Yes, that's right it is barely 9 AM and I have already achieved and surpassed the 4,226 step goal...I am thinking it may be time to up that challenge. (Thanks again UP24 for the motivation to move!)

Today I got off my ass and did100 crunches20 push ups50 second plankRan 1 mileSpeed walked 1 mile (on the treadmill for a total burn of 420 calories.) 30 side leg lifts per leg (for a total of 60)50 back leg lifts

I feel like I am well on my way to getting back to the point I was at on 5/4/2014 and maybe even surpassing it. I just have to keep up the momentum.

Please remember that what works for me may not work for you, however I guarantee if you get up and move in any way on a daily basis you will be on your way to a healthier life!

**Also it is very important that you consult your physician before beginning any new diet or exercise program.**

We hear it all the time, drink more water, but when you spend your entire life drinking everything but water, water just doesn't taste very good. So can we achieve the same benefits with water alternatives? Will soda, tea, coffee, or any other flavored liquid keep our body hydrated and nourished the way it so desperately needs? Lets find out.

Our Bodies Need WaterThe very foundation of the body is water. In fact over half of the adult body consists of water, nearly 60%! Let's break that number down: The brain consists of 73% water. The heart also consists of 73% water. The lungs are around 83% water.Skin is made up of around 64% water. Muscles and kidneys are composed of close to 79% water. Even the bones are watery consisting of 31% water. *

So as you can see our bodies are literally made up of water and most certainly require water to continue to function properly. Therefore it is important that when the water inside of our body starts to diminish in forms such as sweat that we replenish this life liquid.

What Functions Does Water Serve in the Human Body?

We are told to drink water, we can see that our bodies are made up of 60% water, but how does our body use this water to function?

Water regulates body temperature via sweat and respiration.It is a vital part of every cell in the human body, and is the building block of cells. Water protects the brain and spinal cord from shock by serving as an absorber. It serves as an oxygen delivery system in the body. Water plays a vital role in digestion. It flushes body waste. The brain uses water to manufacture hormones and neurotransmitters.

Pure Water Can water serve the same purpose when altered? Water in its' natural form is simple. It does not require the body to undergo much work in order to gain the benefits it has to give. However, the more you alter water in its' pure state the more work your body must do to break it down before gaining the benefits. Some chemicals that are added to water can even deplete the nutrients that would otherwise be found in the water thus making it almost completely useless to your body.

Soda/Pop/Soft Drinks...Call them what you want, they all mean the same thing. Despite the dangers that are present when drinking a soft drink, millions of people do so everyday, in fact millions of people would rather grab a soda than a bottle of water when choosing a drink to accompany a meal. The first step to creating soda is to dissolve carbon dioxide which is under pressure into water. This creates the fizzy bubbly water that is the base of soft drinks. In this form water is mostly pure. The nutrients found in water's pure form are still present and your body doesn't have to work any harder to digest or break down water in carbonated form versus non-carbonated form. However, the next step to creating a soda is the adding of sugar, dyes, high-fructose corn syrup, caffeine, fruit juice, and sugar substitutes. Essentially a soft drink consists of carbonated water, flavoring (mostly artificial), and sugar (lots and lots of sugar). These additives cause the body to work harder at breaking down the soda in order to find the nutrients as well as deplete the water of good nutrients and add dangerous chemicals.

The additives, namely sugar and sugar substitutes in the form of sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup not only provide a great deal of bad calories, but they also create more work for your body. The calories found in soda are useless and they have no nutritional value whatsoever.

Do not drink your calories, one of the biggest fights that most people trying to get healthy and lose weight go through is that of lowering their caloric intake. Giving up soda can be hard. When your taste buds are used to the sugary sweetness of a soft drink water can taste very bland in comparison. However, after you have gained the knowledge of all of the bad attributes of soft drinks you can use these facts to your advantage. Choosing water over soda has many benefits, and one way you can help yourself make the healthier choice is by making a list of all the reasons you no longer want that soda. Post the list on your fridge and post a mini version in your vehicle if drinking a soda is something you do regularly when you drive.

You do not have to give up soda altogether, though that is ideal. It can be a very difficult thing to give up. I suggest starting off slowly. Replace one meal drink a day with water, and once you have that choice under your belt and it has become a habit, replace another.

Always remember that what you put in your body is your choice. You have the power to become healthier merely by making better choices. A can of regular soda contains anywhere from 140-165 calories, imagine how many calories you can cut out of your diet simply by replacing soda with water! If you typically drink 3 cans of regular soda a day you can cut 420-495 calories out of your diet just by choosing water. Water is a non-calorie drink, therefore you can drink as much water as you want and it doesn't take away from your daily calorie goal. Another benefit is that water is a very filling substance and can help you to eat less as well.

In summation, the next time you are thinking of grabbing a soda, even a "diet" soda, grab a water instead. Your body will thank you!

I have to say that my laziness sure does find a way to overtake my life time and time again. I'm not sure if it is winter blues or the cold weather, or maybe there really is no excuse at all except laziness...I have allowed myself to gain 10 pounds from lack of exercise since my 5/4/2014 photo found in the sidebar and that is irritating! I worked so very hard to get to 114 pounds only to allow myself to start to gain it all back. Okay, maybe not all...I'm not back to where I started, but I'm well on my way. I have to stop making excuses and start holding myself accountable once again. This laziness has got to go! I recently purchased an UP24 by Jawbone for motivation, it is a step tracker/activity tracker/meal tracker/sleep tracker. Even that didn't keep my motivated, but I'm giving it another go...

My idea to keep myself motivated starts with accountability which requires some form of logging of activity therefore I will be posting here daily with my exercise...we'll call it The Daily "Get off your Ass and Do Something" post...I am asking that those of you who are interested in helping me to continue to be motivated help me by leaving a comment in the respective location...it can be one word even, just let me know there are people watching what I'm doing and helping me to keep motivated...I can do the same for you if you like! Just let me know how :)

So...coming up shortly...my first post in a hopefully long line of posts...until then, Enjoy.

Well, once again I allowed myself to get too busy for myself...if that makes any sense...and then the laziness and the mental excuses were allowed to run rampant in my brain...so today I gave myself a much needed swift kick in the rear end.

That's right, I am getting back on track...again...I wish I knew what it was that helped to keep all of those other health fanatics going day in and day out...

My goal for the moment is a small one, I have decided to set my intention to walking at least one mile everyday for the next 7 days. This will allow me to get back into the mental mindset of exercising regularly and will allow my body to get used to the exercise once again. I am starting out slow as to not burn myself out quickly.

As for what has been going on in my life lately, well I graduated my first step to achieving my life long dream...I officially have my AA! I graduated with honors and a GPA of 3.98, which took a lot of hard work and dedication but I managed to pull it off! I also started working on the weekends, I am still volunteering my spare time at the local elementary school, and of course I continue to care for my children, my husband, and my home. In addition I have also begun some home projects, painting and redecorating my dining room and kitchen, and I started crocheting a new blanket. In between I try to find time to relax, "me" time if you will, which is far and few between therefore when I can manage it I enjoy those moments most of all.

Due to the accident I was in last month my Happy Journey for a Healthy Life was put on hold. I will admit that I got a little lazy during my "off time" but I am back.

Due to the large amount of time I was unable to run and keep a clear exercise schedule my exercises became sporadic, therefore I am starting this journey over. I realize that it's not like really starting over because I have made progress over the past 8 months I have been working on it but as far as getting myself back into the swing of things; well as far as that aspect goes I am starting over.

This time I will only be posting my runs and what I do for cross-training.

Day 1:

Ran 3.6 miles, woot woot!

I have started using the Nike+ app and the coach that the app is equipped with. The program I am currently using is the trainer for 5k Intermediate. I am on my first week and have ran twice for the program (today is one of those times). If you'd like to join me download the Nike+ app and find me :) [Alaina Ellington] I would love to have some

Author

Life doesn't have to be boring, instead life is a journey to be taken one day at a time. That is my philosophy. I am a mother, a wife, and a college student. My goals include enjoying life, each and every moment, and making the most of the time I have. In order to stay home with my children living frugally has become a necessity; but doing so doesn't have to be miserable. My hope is to share my frugality and creativity with you in hopes that you will enjoy life one day at a time as well.